Red Hook football coach Bill Stutz banned from high school under court order of protection

RED HOOK, N.Y. -- Banned by a court order of protection from being at the high school, varsity football coach Bill Stutz has requested being put on paid sick leave, according to district Superintendent Paul Finch.

"Now that the criminal charges appear to have been resolved, I intend to meet with Mr. Stutz and his representatives to discuss next steps with regard to his continued employment," Finch said in an email Tuesday. "In the meantime, Mr. Stutz has provided the district with adequate documentation to support his request for paid sick leave."

Finch added in the email that he could not comment further because it was a personnel matter.

Dutchess County Assistant District Attorney Angela Lopane on Monday said the order issued by Milan Town Justice Francis Christensen prohibits Stutz from contact with his former girlfriend or her 16-year-old son at Red Hook High School or at their home in Milan.

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"I had a conversation with an attorney for the school district, but that is the extent of it," Lopane said. "My role is not to negotiate the return of Mr. Stutz to the high school. The order of protection was issued for victim in this case and while he is in school that order protects him while he is in school."

Stutz has been on paid administrative leave since being charged Jan. 5 with misdemeanor counts of assault and endangering the welfare of a child. He was also charged with harassment, a violation.

State police said at the time that they responded to an incident involving Stutz's girlfriend and her 16-year-old son. Stutz was arrested a second time and charged with felony contempt and violation harassment for allegedly violating a court order that he have no contact with the two people.

Stutz on April 4 entered guilty pleas to two reduced counts of disorderly conduct, a violation, according to Milan Town Court officials, who said an order of protection was put in place for two years. He was also fined $100 and ordered to pay $250 in court charges.

Lopane said the order of protection would include any unwanted contact with the mother or child from someone acting on behalf of Stutz.

"There is a full order of protection in effect that would certainly cover any stalking behavior," she said. "That would certainly include any third party activities. The protected persons should report it to the New York state police or any other police department."

School district trustees last week had been asked by more than 160 students and parents to reinstate Stutz. They said at the board meeting that all criminal charges against Stutz had been dismissed.